Angel Habacon wasn't supposed to return in NCAA Season 100 after sustaining an injury in early March, but the sophomore star defied the odds to rejoin a struggling San Beda University.
Habacon sustained a full tear MCL on her right knee during a practice almost two months ago, which forced her to sit out their last seven games in the first round.
With her out, the Lady Red Spikers ended the first half of the tournament winless with a 0-9 record before they fell to 0-10 following a four-set loss to rival Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Tuesday in her return.
Still, Habacon said she's just glad to come back after initially being ruled out for the rest of the season.
"Dapat nga po hindi na ako papalaruin," Habacon told GMA News Online.
"Nagulat nga po kami kasi sobrang bilis ng recovery ko kasi determined po talaga ako na makabalik at makatulong sa team. Hindi ako nawalan ng pag-asa sa buong process ko."
[They weren't planning on playing me anymore... But we were surprised because of how quick my recovery was because I was really determined to return and help the team. I never lost hope through the whole process.]
Habacon admitted to having jitters in her first game back, especially since San Beda made a coaching change with Joshua Noda now calling the shots.
Still, Habacon made an immediate impact in her return after pouring 20 points on 18 attacks and two aces to go with 11 receptions, but her effort went for naught as the Lady Red Spikers failed to upset the league-leading Lady Knights.
"‘Yung first game ko parang may first game jitters. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘welcome back, Gel’. Ina-acknowledge ko ‘yung kaba, ‘yung overwhelming na excitement, na happiness."
[My first game back, it was like there were first game jitters. I told myself, 'welcome back, Gel'. I acknowledged the nerves, the overwhelming excitement, and happiness.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
